Punjab convention highlighted concerns about 'state repression' in tribal regions like Bastar

By Harsh Thakor* 

The Democratic Front Against Operation Green Hunt, Punjab, organized a "Provincial Convention Against Repression" at Tarksheel Bhawan in Barnala on January 19. Convened by Buta Singh, Parminder Singh, AK Maleri, and prominent tribal rights activists Bela Bhatia and Navsharan Kaur, the event brought together leaders, intellectuals, and activists from diverse backgrounds to address issues concerning tribal rights and state repression. Approximately 500 participants, including farmers, agricultural workers, teachers, industrial workers, and intellectuals, attended the convention, representing a broad spectrum of democratic and revolutionary groups in Punjab.

The convention served as a platform to highlight concerns about state repression, particularly in tribal regions like Bastar, and to oppose corporate-driven policies that displace marginalised communities. Speakers condemned the exploitation of natural resources, the erosion of tribal rights, and the use of laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to suppress dissent. They linked these issues to the broader attacks on democratic rights across India.

Several resolutions were passed during the event, demanding the removal of security camps and special forces from tribal regions, the repeal of corporate-friendly economic policies that lead to displacement, and the protection of tribal rights over natural resources like water, forests, and land. Calls were made for the immediate repeal of repressive laws such as UAPA and the release of prisoners who have completed their sentences. The convention also condemned the Punjab government’s suppression of farmers' movements and other struggles and demanded adequate compensation and employment for families affected by road accidents.

Bela Bhatia detailed the systemic abuse of human rights in Bastar, including rape, torture, and wrongful arrests of tribals, who are often falsely accused of being Maoists. She highlighted the complicity of corporate and state forces in exploiting natural resources and the erosion of legal protections for Adivasis. While acknowledging the resilience of tribal communities, she critiqued the Maoist movement for its lack of consistent mass involvement and failure to build parallel democratic structures. Navsharan Kaur broadened the scope, linking repression in tribal regions to other parts of India, such as Manipur, Kashmir, and Punjab. She discussed the Bhima Koregaon case as an example of state conspiracy against dissenters and emphasized the need to address Hindutva ideology's impact on women and marginalised groups. She stressed the importance of learning from recent farmers' movements to confront state repression effectively.

Parminder Singh examined the socio-economic roots of repression, tracing them back to colonial exploitation and post-independence economic structures dominated by foreign and corporate capital. He underlined the need for a mass democratic movement to counter Hindutva fascism and its alignment with corporate interests. AK Maleri concluded by emphasizing the importance of uniting all oppressed sections—farmers, industrial workers, students, and youth—into a single platform to combat state oppression. He advocated for overcoming sectarian divisions to build a broad-based movement.

The convention effectively highlighted the interconnectedness of state repression, corporate exploitation, and Hindutva ideology. However, it did not sufficiently explore the relationship between Hindutva fascism and corporate tyranny or provide a cohesive analysis of Brahmanical fascism and its role in perpetuating oppression. Divergences between speakers on the evaluation of the Maoist movement and its mass approach also reflected underlying challenges in uniting different perspectives.

The Barnala convention was a significant step in mobilizing democratic forces against state repression and corporate exploitation. It underscored the urgency of building a unified, mass-based movement to safeguard democratic rights and resist authoritarianism. The gathering also demonstrated the growing consciousness and determination among diverse sections of society to challenge systemic injustice.

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*Freelance journalist who attended the convention